Cosmetic product applicator with a felt tip

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device ( 1 ) for dispensing and applying a cosmetic product, comprising:
         a container ( 3 ) intended to contain a cosmetic product, said container ( 3 ) defining a cosmetic product reservoir and opening out through an orifice ( 7 ) for dispensing the cosmetic product;   a cosmetic product applicator member ( 5 ) made in fiber material and inserted into said dispensing orifice ( 7 ) so as to cross said dispensing orifice ( 7 );   a means ( 12; 60, 62 ) for dispensing said cosmetic product out of the container ( 3 ), the dispensing means being configured so as to generate an underpressure or an overpressure in the cosmetic product reservoir so as to force the cosmetic product to pass through the applicator member ( 5 ).       

     The dispensing and application device further comprises a sealing sheath ( 45 ) surrounding the applicator member ( 5 ) at the dispensing orifice ( 7 ).

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing and applying a cosmetic product, comprising:

-   -   a container intended to contain a cosmetic product, said         container defining a cosmetic product reservoir and opening         through an orifice for dispensing the cosmetic product;     -   a cosmetic product applicator member made in a fiber material         and inserted into said dispensing orifice so as to cross said         dispensing orifice;     -   a means for dispensing said cosmetic product out of the         container, the dispensing means being configured so as to         generate an underpressure or an overpressure in the cosmetic         product reservoir so as to force the cosmetic product to pass         through the applicator member.

Documents JP 2011 041 626, JP 2005 022 113, JP 2004 243 561, FR 2 310 887, FR 2 148 564 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,817 describe devices each comprising a container containing a product to be dispensed, in particular ink, and a tip for applying the product on a support, made in a fiber material. The product to be dispensed is conveyed from the container into the application tip by capillarity.

Such devices do not give entire satisfaction. Indeed, the transport by capillarity does not give the possibility of satisfactorily controlling the flow rate of the product to be dispensed through the application tip.

Document FR 2 909 844 describes a device for applying nail varnish comprising a container containing the nail varnish to be dispensed, and a felt tip for applying the cosmetic product on the nails of the user. The container may have a deformable wall allowing the user to generate overpressure inside the reservoir in order to increase the flow rate of the product upon application.

Such an application device does not give entire satisfaction. Indeed, it is observed that it results in a not very neat application of the product on the support.

An object of the invention is to obtain a device for dispensing and applying a cosmetic product which allows neat application of cosmetic product with a perfectly controlled flow rate depending on the needs of the user.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a device for applying a cosmetic product as aforementioned, which further comprises a sealing sheath surrounding the applicator member at the dispensing orifice.

This dispensing and application device allows neat application of cosmetic product with a controlled flow rate. Indeed, the means for dispensing the cosmetic product out of the container gives the possibility to the user of extracting the desired amount of cosmetic product out of the container. Further, the sealing sheath surrounding the applicator member at the dispensing orifice of the container avoids cosmetic product leaks around the applicator member. Thus, the application is accomplished in a neat way.

The device for applying a cosmetic product according to the invention may also comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or according to any technically possible combination(s):

-   -   the dispensing means is configured so as to force the cosmetic         product out of the reservoir by reducing the volume of the         reservoir;     -   the sealing sheath is made in plastic material;     -   the applicator member provided with the sealing sheath is         forcibly inserted into the dispensing orifice;     -   the sealing sheath is formed with a plastic material coating         made on the applicator member;     -   the sealing sheath is made by extruding plastic material on the         applicator member;     -   the applicator member comprises a proximal portion extending         inside the container from the dispensing orifice and a distal         portion extending on the outside of the container from the         dispensing orifice, the distal portion comprising an application         tip at its distal end, and in which the sealing sheath does not         surround the application tip of the applicator member;     -   the sealing sheath exclusively extends inside the container, the         applicator member being without any sealing sheath in its distal         portion;     -   the applicator member comprises at its proximal end, an end         portion extending over a portion of the length of the applicator         member inside the container, said end portion being without any         sealing sheath;     -   the dispensing means comprises a deformable portion of the wall         of the container;     -   the dispensing means comprises a piston, mounted so as to be         displaceable in translation in said container and delimiting, in         said container, a cosmetic product reservoir;     -   displacement of said piston in said container modifies the         volume of said reservoir so as to push the cosmetic product out         of the reservoir;     -   the dispensing means further comprises means for actuating said         piston from the outside of the container, configured for         generating the displacement of said piston in the container;     -   said actuation means comprise a push button, positioned at one         end of the container, and preferably at the end of the container         opposite to the dispensing orifice;     -   the actuation means comprise an actuation member mounted so as         to be displaceable in rotation on the container and means for         connecting the actuating member to the piston, able to convert         the rotation of the actuation member relatively to the container         into a translation of the piston in the container;     -   the dispensing means comprises a pump, in particular an airless         pump;     -   the dispensing means comprises a pump configured for extracting         a given amount of cosmetic product out of the container, the         pump preferably being positioned at the proximal end of the         container;     -   the dispensing means further comprises a piston, movably mounted         in translation in the container, the actuation of the pump being         able to generate a translation of the piston towards the         proximal end of the container;     -   the container comprises a body comprising a neck delimiting an         aperture for extracting the cosmetic product out of the body and         an applicator holder engaged into said neck, the dispensing         orifice of the container being formed at one end of the         applicator holder opposite to the body.     -   the applicator holder is attached on the body by snap-on         fastening.

The invention will be better understood upon reading the description which follows, only given as an example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first dispensing and application device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an applicator member provided with a sealing sheath according to the invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are front and side views of a first applicator member;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are front and side views of a second applicator member;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are front and side views of a third applicator member;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are front and side views of a fourth applicator member;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are front and side views of a fifth applicator member;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are front and side views of a sixth applicator member;

FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view of a second dispensing and application device according to the invention; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view of a third dispensing and application device according to the invention.

In all the description, the term of <<proximal>> is generally understood as closer to the hand of the user grasping the dispensing and application device according to the invention with view to applying a cosmetic product on a surface to be treated. The term of “distal” is generally understood as being further away from the hand of the user grasping the device.

The terms of <<upstream>> and <<downstream>> are used with reference to the direction of flow of the cosmetic product through the dispensing and application device of a cosmetic product.

A first device 1 for dispensing and applying a cosmetic product according to the invention is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1.

It is intended for storage, dispensing and applying a cosmetic product, in particular a fluid cosmetic product, such as a nail varnish, an eyeliner product, a gloss, a liquid foundation or a care product for hair.

More generally, a cosmetic product is a product as defined in the Regulation EC No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council dated as of Nov. 30 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

The cosmetic product is intended to be applied on a body surface of a human being, for example on a nail or on an eyelid.

The device 1 comprises a container 3 and an applicator member 5.

The container 3 extends along an elongation axis L. This axis will be described as a longitudinal axis in the continuation of the description.

The container 3 interiorly delimits a reservoir 6 intended to contain the cosmetic product. It opens out, at its distal end, through an orifice 7 for dispensing the cosmetic product out of the container 3.

More particularly, in the illustrated example, the container 3 comprises a body 9 interiorly delimiting the reservoir 6 of cosmetic product and an applicator-holder 11 intended to receive the applicator member 5.

The body 9 is elongated along the longitudinal axis L. It comprises a side wall 12 delimiting the reservoir 6 of cosmetic product. It comprises at its distal end, a neck 13 defining an aperture 15 for extracting the cosmetic product out of the body 9.

The applicator-holder 11 is mounted on the distal end of the body 9, and extends the body 9 along the direction of the longitudinal axis L. It opens out through a neck 17 defining the dispensing orifice 7 of the container 9.

In the illustrated example, the applicator-holder 11 comprises a substantially tubular outer wall 19. A proximal portion 21 of the outer wall 19 surrounds the neck 13 of the body 9.

The body 9 and the applicator-holder 11 advantageously comprise mating raised/recessed portions for attaching the applicator-holder 11 on the body 9. These raised/recessed portions are respectively formed on the neck 13 of the body 9 and on the outer wall 19 of the applicator-holder 11.

In the illustrated example, the applicator-holder 11 is attached to the body 9 by snap-on fastening. For this purpose, the neck 13 of the body 9 is for example provided with a stop protrusion 23, in particular with the shape of a circumferential ring, cooperating with a mating protrusion 25 of the applicator-holder 11, said mating protrusion 25 extending inwards from the outer wall 19 of the applicator-holder 11. When the applicator-holder 11 is engaged on the neck 13, the outer wall 19 is able to elastically deform upon passing the stop protrusion 23 so that the mating protrusion 25 engages behind the stop protrusion 23. The stop protrusion 23 is conformed so as to only allow the passing of the mating protrusion 25 in the direction of a detachment of the applicator-holder 11 when a sufficient traction force is exerted on the applicator-holder 11. Thus, the mating raised/recessed portions are able to retain the applicator-holder 11 against an unintentional displacement away from the body 9 along the direction of the longitudinal axis L.

According to alternatives not shown, the applicator-holder 11 is attached on the body 9 by any suitable means. As an example, it is crimped on the body 9, or further screwed on the body 9.

Preferably, the applicator-holder 11 further comprises a sealing skirt 27 intended to be inserted into the extraction aperture 15. The sealing skirt 27 is intended to produce the seal between the body 9 and the applicator-holder 11.

The sealing skirt 27 has a substantially tubular shape. It extends inside the outer wall 19, while being substantially coaxial with the latter. It is received in an adjusted way into the neck 13 of the body 9 so as to produce the seal between the body 9 and the applicator-holder 11. The sealing skirt 27 interiorly delimits a passage 29 for the cosmetic product from the body 9 into the applicator-holder 11.

The outer wall 19 of the applicator-holder 11 further comprises a distal portion 31 delimiting a cavity 33 for receiving the applicator member 5. This receiving cavity 33 extends in the extension of the passage 29 for the cosmetic product delimited by the sealing skirt 27. It opens out, at its distal end, through the dispensing orifice 7.

The receiving cavity 33 has a substantially constant cross-section.

The applicator-holder 11 is advantageously made in plastic material. As an example, it is made in polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS).

More particularly, the applicator-holder 11 is made in one piece. As an example, it is made by molding.

The applicator member 5 is intended for applying the cosmetic product on a surface to be treated. It is inserted into the dispensing orifice 7 of the container 3 so as to cross this dispensing orifice 7.

The applicator member 5 extends along an axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis L.

The applicator member 5 partly extends inside the container 3. More particularly, it comprises a proximal portion 35, extending in the inside of the container 3, and more particularly inside the applicator-holder 11, and a distal portion 37 extending on the outside of the container 3.

Advantageously, the distal portion 37 comprises, at its distal end, an application tip 39. This application tip 39 forms the distal end of the applicator member 5.

FIGS. 3 to 14 illustrate examples of application tips 39.

The application tips 39 illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 10 are symmetrical with respect to a middle plane P containing the longitudinal axis L and extending along the width of the application tip 39. The middle plane P is perpendicular to the plane of the sheet in FIGS. 4, 6, 8 and 10.

The first and second application tips 39 respectively illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 each comprise two facets 40 formed in a rod with a general substantially cylindrical shape. The facets 40 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the middle plane P. They are inclined towards each other in the direction of the distal end of the applicator member 5. These application tips 39 are symmetrical with respect to a middle plane P′ perpendicular to the plane P containing the longitudinal axis L. They have a curved distal edge symmetrical with respect to the plane P′. The plane P′ is perpendicular to the plane of the sheet in FIGS. 3 and 5.

The facets 40 of the first application tip 39 are substantially planar.

The facets 40 of the second application tip 39 each form a convex surface with a convexity oriented towards the outside of the application tip 39.

The third application tip 39 illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 only differs from the second application tip by the fact that it has a curved distal edge asymmetrical relatively to the plane P′ as defined earlier (perpendicular to the plane of the sheet in FIG. 7). More particularly, this distal edge moves away from the applicator-holder 11 when one moves from one of its ends towards the other (from left to right in the figure).

The fourth application tip 39 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 has a shape recalling a brush. It comprises two facets 40 each forming a convex surface with a convexity oriented towards the outside of the application tip 39, which move closer to each other in a symmetrical way relatively to the plane P towards the distal end of the tip 39. Further, the side edges of these facets 40 are conformed so that the tip 39 has, in a plane parallel to the plane P, a shape which is flared towards its distal end.

The fifth and sixth application tips 39 respectively illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 and 13 and 14 have an asymmetrical shape with respect to a middle plane P containing the direction of the longitudinal axis L (perpendicular to the plane of the sheet in FIGS. 12 and 14).

The fifth application tip 39 comprises a single substantially planar facet 40 inclined towards the longitudinal axis L formed in a rod with a general substantially cylindrical shape. It is symmetrical relatively to the plane P′ defined earlier (perpendicular to the plane of the sheet in FIG. 11).

The sixth application tip 39 only differs from the fifth application tip 39 in that the single facet 40 has a convex shape with convexity oriented towards the outside of the tip 39.

These shapes are only given as an example. The application tip 39 may have any other suitable shape for the desired use.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the proximal portion 35 of the applicator member 5 has a central segment 41 with constant cross-section extending in the receiving cavity 33. The central segment 41 has a cross-sectional area very close to that of the receiving cavity 33.

The central segment 41 is extended at its proximal end with an end portion 43 shrinking towards the proximal end of the applicator member 5. This shape promotes the insertion of the applicator member 5 in the applicator-holder 11 upon assembling the device 1.

The applicator member 5 is made in a fiber material. The fibers are for example polyester, nylon, polyethylene or acrylic fibers. Such an applicator member 5 is generally described as a felt applicator.

The applicator member 5 is advantageously made in a single piece in a fiber material.

As an example, the applicator member 5 is made by extrusion in order to obtain a substantially cylindrical rod having the desired diameter. This rod is then cut out to the desired length, and then optionally ground so as to obtain the desired final shape.

According to the invention, the applicator member 5 in fiber material is surrounded by a sealing sheath 45 at the dispensing orifice 7 of the container 3. This sealing sheath 45 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The sealing sheath 45 extends inside the container 3 as far as the dispensing orifice 7.

The sealing sheath 45 extends radially between the applicator member 5 and the wall of the container 3 delimiting the dispensing orifice 7 on the whole circumference of the applicator member 5.

In particular, the sealing sheath 45 is inserted in an adjusted way into the dispensing orifice 7.

It is in contact over the whole of its circumference and on at least one portion of its length with the wall of the container 3 delimiting the dispensing orifice 7. Advantageously, it is in surface contact over the whole of its length with the wall of the container 3 delimiting the dispensing orifice 7, and in particular with the inner wall of the neck 17 of the applicator-holder 11.

The sealing sheath 45 is substantially tubular with an axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis L.

The sealing sheath 45 is advantageously made in plastic material. As an example, the sealing sheath is made in polypropylene.

More particularly, it is formed by a plastic material coating formed on the applicator member 5.

Preferably, the sealing sheath 45 is directly formed on the applicator member. It is notably made by extrusion of plastic material on the applicator member 5.

The sealing sheath 45 fits tightly around the applicator member 5 at the dispensing orifice 7. More particularly, it fits tightly around a portion of the applicator member 5 extending inside the container 3 from the dispensing orifice 7.

The sealing sheath 45 fits the shape of the applicator member 5 over the whole of the length of the sealing sheath 45. In particular, it extends radially facing the applicator member 5 over the whole of the length of the sealing sheath 45.

In the illustrated example, the sealing sheath 45 extends entirely inside the container 3.

In the illustrated example, the sealing sheath 45 extends over only a portion of the applicator member 5, in the direction of its length. In particular, it leaves free the distal portion 37 of the applicator member 5, i.e. the portion of the applicator member 5 which extends on the outside of the container 3 from the dispensing orifice 7 as far as the distal end of the applicator member 5, and comprising the application tip 39.

In the illustrated example, the sealing sheath 45 only surrounds the segment 41 with constant section of the proximal portion 35 of the applicator member 5. It does not extend as far as the proximal end of the applicator member 5. In particular, it leaves clear the end portion 43 of the applicator member 5.

The applicator member 5 surrounded by the sealing sheath 45 is inserted in an adjusted way into the receiving cavity 33. The sealing sheath 45 thus produces the seal between the applicator-holder 11 and the applicator member 5. It thus avoids cosmetic product leaks at the applicator-holder 11.

There exists a plastic interference area between the sealing sheath 45 and the wall of the container 3 delimiting the receiving cavity 33.

By received in an adjusted way, is meant that the outer diameter of the sealing sheath 45 before its insertion into the applicator-holder 11 is slightly greater than the diameter of the receiving cavity 33 over at least one portion of the length of the sealing sheath 45, in particular over a given length of the sealing sheath 45 or at several rings spaced apart from each other along the length of the sheath 45. Thus, the applicator member 5 provided with the sealing sheath 45 is forcibly inserted into the container 3, and more particularly into the applicator-holder 11.

More particularly, the applicator member 5 surrounded by the sealing sheath 45 is forcibly inserted into the receiving cavity 33 of the applicator-holder 11.

The applicator member 5 extends in the extension of the passage for the cosmetic product 29 of the applicator-holder 11.

The device 1 further comprises a means for dispensing the cosmetic product out of the container 3. The dispensing means is configured so as to generate an underpressure or an overpressure in the cosmetic product reservoir 6 delimited in the container 3 so as to force the cosmetic product to pass through the applicator member 5.

The dispensing means is able to exert a force on the cosmetic product contained in the container 3 so as to force it out of the container 3 and through the applicator member 5.

This dispensing means is for example configured in order to exert pressure on the cosmetic product contained in the container 3. It is notably able to decrease, at least temporarily, the volume of the cosmetic product reservoir 6 defined by the body 9 so as to force the cosmetic product out of the container 3.

In the first dispensing and application device 1, the dispensing means comprises a deformable portion of the wall of the container 3.

More particularly, in this embodiment, the body 9 is formed by a tube, the side wall 12 of which is deformable under the effect of pressure exerted on this wall 12 by the fingers of the user. Thus, pressure exerted by the user on the side wall 12 of the tube pushes a cosmetic product amount depending on the pressure exerted on the side wall 12 out of the container 3.

In this embodiment, the dispensing means therefore comprises the side wall 12 of the body 9 of the container 3.

The dispensing means of the first device allows a user to meter the taken amount. Moreover, by exerting a thrust on the cosmetic product, it allows control of the flow rate of the cosmetic product through the applicator member 5. The cosmetic product therefore does not flow by simple capillarity.

Preferably, the device 1 for dispensing and applying a cosmetic product further comprises a cap 50 which is displaceable between a position of use of the device 1, in which it is positioned away from the container 3, and an obturation position, in which it is positioned on the container 3 and surrounds the distal portion 37 of the applicator member 5 protruding out of the container 3. The cap 50 avoids drying of the applicator member 5 and protects the applicator member 5 against any undesired contact with the environment which may dirty it or contaminate it or cause unintentional dispensing of cosmetic product.

Advantageously, the cap 50 comprises a side wall 52 surrounding the applicator holder 11 in the closing position of the cap 50.

The device 1 according to the invention is particularly advantageous. Indeed, the dispensing means allows the user to adjust the flow rate of dispensed cosmetic product at the applicator member 5 depending on the desired flow rate. Due to the pressure exerted by the cosmetic product on the applicator member 5 due to the use of the dispensing means, and because of the compressible nature of the applicator member 5, which is made in a fiber material, there exists a significant risk of leaks at the applicator-holder in the device 1 according to the invention upon dispensing cosmetic product. However, according to the invention, these leaks are avoided by the presence of the sealing sheath 45 which prevents the flow, between the sheath 45 and the applicator-holder 11, of the cosmetic product pushed out of the container 3. The device 1 according to the invention therefore allows dispensing of a cosmetic product with a controlled flow rate and neat application of it by means of a tip in a fiber material. The neat nature of the application in particular stems from the absence of leaks of cosmetic product at the applicator-holder 11, which may generate smudges during application.

The method for assembling the device 1 comprises the following steps:

-   -   providing a container 3 comprising a dispensing aperture 7;     -   providing an applicator member 5 provided with a sealing sheath         45;     -   inserting the applicator member 5 provided with the sealing         sheath 45 through the dispensing aperture 7 so that the sealing         sheath 45 extends at the dispensing orifice 7.

The step for providing the applicator member 5 provided with the sealing sheath 45 in particular comprises a step for forming the sealing sheath 45 on the applicator member 5, notably by extrusion of plastic material.

It may also comprise a step for making the applicator member 5 by extrusion of fiber material, and then forming the desired final shape.

A second dispensing and application device 1′ is illustrated in FIG. 15. This second device 1′ only differs from the first device 1 by the shape of the dispensing means. In FIG. 15, the elements identical with those already described with reference to the first device bear identical reference numbers.

More particularly, the dispensing means of the second device 1′ comprises a piston 60 mounted so as to be displaceable in translation in the container 3 and means 62 for actuating said piston 60, which may be actuated from the outside of the container 3.

The piston 60 delimits the cosmetic product reservoir 6 in the container 3.

The actuation means 62 are configured for generating the displacement of the piston 60 in the container 3. The displacement of the piston 60 in the container 3 modifies the volume of the cosmetic product reservoir 6 in the container 3 so as to push a cosmetic product amount out of the container 3. The cosmetic product amount extracted from the container 3 depends on the travel of the piston 60 in the container 3.

In the second device 1′ illustrated in FIG. 15, the dispensing means is of the “twist pen” type. In this case, the actuation means comprise an actuation member 62 mounted so as to be displaceable in rotation on the container 3, preferably around the longitudinal axis L of said container 3, and means 64 for connecting the actuation device 62 to the piston 60, able to convert the rotation of the actuation member 62 relatively to the container 3 into a translation of the piston 60 in the container 3. The dispensed amount of product at the dispensing orifice is proportional to the rotary travel of the actuation member 62.

More specifically, the connecting means 64 are formed by a screw-nut system comprising a tapping 66 formed in the actuation member 62, and a screw 68 attached to the piston 60 and received in the tapping 66 so that the rotation of the actuation member 62 around the longitudinal axis L generates translation of the screw 68 along the direction of the longitudinal axis L and thus translation of the piston 60.

The dispensing means of the second device 1′ therefore allows the user to meter the extracted amount. Moreover, by exerting a thrust on the cosmetic product, it allows control of the flow rate of the cosmetic product through the applicator member 5. The cosmetic product therefore does not flow by simple capillarity.

According to an alternative, not shown, of the second device 1′, the dispensing means is of the <<click pen>> type.

In this case, the actuation means 62 comprise a push button, positioned at one end of the container 3, and preferably at the proximal end of the container 3, opposite to the dispensing orifice 7. The push button is mechanically connected to the piston 60 via suitable connecting means so that a press on the push button 64 by the user generates a travel with a predetermined length of the piston 60 in the container 3, and thus dispensing of a predetermined amount of product through the dispensing orifice 7.

Such a <<click pen>> mechanism is known and will not be described in more detail.

The dispensing means of the device according to this alternative therefore allows the user to meter the extracted amount. Moreover, by exerting a thrust on the cosmetic product, it allows control of the flow rate of the cosmetic product through the applicator member. The cosmetic product therefore does not flow by simple capillarity.

A third device 1″ for dispensing and applying a cosmetic product according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 16. This device only differs from the device according to the first embodiment by the shape of the dispensing means. In FIG. 16, elements identical to those already described with reference to the first device bear identical reference numbers.

The third device 1″ comprises a dispensing means of the airless pump type.

In this case, the dispensing means is configured for generating an underpressure in the cosmetic product reservoir 6 so as to force the cosmetic product out of the container 3.

More particularly, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, the dispensing means of the third device 1″ comprises a pump 74 positioned at the proximal end of the container 3, and more particularly in the applicator-holder 11. The applicator-holder 11 is mounted so as to be movable in translation relatively to the body 9 of the container 3 and forms the actuation member of the pump 74. The dispensing means further comprises a piston 70 mounted so as to be displaceable in translation in the container 3.

The piston 70 delimits the cosmetic product reservoir 6 in the container 3.

The actuation of the pump 74 by pressing on the applicator-holder 11 generates the extraction of a determined amount of product out of the container 3. The extraction of this amount of product is accompanied by a translational displacement of the piston 70 in the body 9 towards the proximal end of the container 3.

Such an “airless” pump system is known in the field of the application of cosmetic products, and will not be described in more detail.

Moreover, the system illustrated in FIG. 16 is only an example of an airless pump. Alternatively, any other suitable airless pump system may be used.

The second and third devices 1′, 1″ have the same advantages as the first device 1. Indeed, in these devices, the dispensing means allows the user to adjust the cosmetic product flow rate coming out at the applicator member 5 depending on the desired flow rate. Due to the pressure exerted by the cosmetic product on the applicator member 5 upon use of the dispensing means, and because of the compressible nature of the applicator member 5, which is made in a fiber material, there exists a significant risk of leaks at the applicator-holder 11 in the device 1′, 1″ according to the invention during dispensing of a cosmetic product. However, according to the invention, these leaks are avoided by the presence of a sealing sheath 45 which prevents flow between the sheath 45 and the applicator-holder 11 of the cosmetic product pushed out of the container 3. The device 1′, 1″ according to the invention therefore allows dispensing of a cosmetic product with a controlled flow rate and its application in a neat way by means of a tip in fiber material. The neat nature of the application in particular stems from the absence of cosmetic product leaks at the applicator-holder 11, which may generate smudges during application.

It will be noted that although only three embodiments of dispensing means have been described in detail, the invention is not limited to these three embodiments of dispensing means. Any other embodiment of a dispensing means bringing the possibility of actively forcing the cosmetic product out of the container 3 and through the applicator member 5 by generating an underpressure or an overpressure in the cosmetic product reservoir 6 may be used within the scope of this invention.

In the figures, a container 3 is illustrated comprising a body 9 and an applicator-holder 11. Alternatively, the container 3 may exclusively comprise the body 9, the applicator member 5 being received in a dispensing orifice 7 defined by the neck 13 of the body 9. 

1. A device for dispensing and applying a cosmetic product, comprising: a container intended to contain a cosmetic product, said container defining a cosmetic product reservoir and opening out through an orifice for dispensing the cosmetic product; a member for applying a cosmetic product, made in a fiber material and inserted into said dispensing orifice so as to cross said dispensing orifice; a dispensing means of said cosmetic product out of the container, the dispensing means being configured for generating an underpressure or an overpressure in the cosmetic product reservoir so as to force the cosmetic product to pass through the applicator member; wherein the dispensing and application device further comprises a sealing sheath surrounding the applicator member at the dispensing orifice.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing sheath is made in plastic material.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member provided with the sealing sheath is forcibly inserted into the dispensing orifice.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing sheath is formed by a plastic material coating made on the applicator member.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing sheath is made by extrusion of plastic material on the applicator member.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member comprises a proximal portion extending inside the container from the dispensing orifice and a distal portion extending on the outside of the container from the dispensing orifice, the distal portion comprising an application tip at its distal end, and wherein the sealing sheath does not surround the application tip of the applicator member.
 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the sealing sheath exclusively extends inside the container, the applicator member being without any sealing sheath in its distal portion.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member comprises, at its proximal end, an end portion extending over a portion of the length of the applicator member inside the container, said end portion being without any sealing sheath.
 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing means comprises a deformable portion of the wall of the container.
 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing means comprises a piston, mounted so as to be displaceable in translation in said container and delimiting, in said container, a cosmetic product reservoir.
 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the dispensing means further comprises means for actuating said piston from the outside of the container, configured for generating the displacement of the piston in the container.
 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein said actuation means comprise a push button, positioned at one end of the container.
 13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the actuation means comprise an actuation member mounted so as to be displaceable in rotation on the container and means for connecting the actuation member to the piston able to convert the rotation of the actuation member with respect to the container into a translation of the piston in the container.
 14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing means comprises a pump.
 15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a body comprising a neck delimiting an aperture for extracting the cosmetic product out of the body, and an applicator-holder engaged on said neck, the dispensing orifice of the container being formed at an end of the applicator-holder opposite to the body.
 16. The device according to claim 2, wherein the applicator member provided with the sealing sheath is forcibly inserted into the dispensing orifice.
 17. The device according to claim 2, wherein the sealing sheath is formed by a plastic material coating made on the applicator member.
 18. The device according to claim 3, wherein the sealing sheath is formed by a plastic material coating made on the applicator member.
 19. The device according to claim 2, wherein the sealing sheath is made by extrusion of plastic material on the applicator member.
 20. The device according to claim 3, wherein the sealing sheath is made by extrusion of plastic material on the applicator member. 